SDI Taps Into SAI Know-How

Systems Alternatives International LLC (SAI), Maumee, Ohio, has been retained by Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI), Fort Wayne, Ind., to provide raw material procurement and management systems at all three of SDI’s steel mills. 

SDI will be purchasing data processing, procurement, inventory management and scale systems from SAI.  Some of the systems are accessible through Wireless Handheld Material Inspection and Digital Imaging capabilities, according to SAI. “This newly combined power will provide unprecedented detail on each scrap transaction and be the basis for accurate accounting information,” says SAI President and CEO John Underwood.

Other SAI data analysis tools that SDI will be using include Purchase Analysis, Order Management and Inventory Analysis programs. A new secure access browser-based tool set is designed to allow managers and decision makers to analyze and review real-time data anytime and virtually anywhere in the world, according to Underwood. “Unique drill-down capabilities permit the user to view information from the contract level down to the detail individual shipment level and provides links to actual photographs and inspection reports,” he notes.

SAI’s Scrap Information Portal (SIP) offers self-service capabilities to SDI’s supplier base.  Using SIP, shippers will be able to enter shipment information, securely access shipment, grading, weight and payment information over the Internet as desired. 

SDI will also deploy SAI’s Buy Plan Management system, which has been designed exclusively for the steel industry.  The system helps mill buyers plan monthly requirements factoring in current inventory levels, materials under contract, in transit material, shipper performance history and material pricing levels.  The buyer can create and analyze what if scenarios by changing variables as new market, production and shipment information becomes available  The system includes automated e-mail communication to suppliers informing them of order status, changes and cancellations.  Buy Plan Management is completely interfaced with SAI’s core systems thus eliminating double entry and inherent errors.

The SDI system will contain a two way interface with Management Sciences Associates (MSA) Raw Material Data Aggregations Service (RMDAS) to send purchase order and pricing data and receive back aggregated geographic pricing information to benchmark buyer performance.

SAI is a software and information technology provider that has been serving the metals and recycling industries since 1981.

Founded in 1993, Steel Dynamics owns and operates three steelmaking mini-mills and manufactures a wide array of steel products, including flat rolled products, such as hot rolled, cold rolled and coated steels; structural products, such as wide-flange beams and h-piling; and bar products, including special-bar-quality, merchant shapes, and reinforcing bar.